Winner of Diamond Bank TVC contest signs music deal

As part of his reward for winning the Diamond Bank #youneedanewbank theme song remix competition, Nnamdi Oluchukwu, aka Solitude, has signed a record deal with Major Bangz, producer of the hit tracks “Alobam” and ”Shoki.”

The new theme song is aimed at promoting the bank as the new model for customer-focused banking in Nigeria.

The competition which was in two phases – a dance and remix competition – required contestants to send in video entries of original dance or song remix of the TVC campaign while the public voted for their favourite videos. Entries with the highest number of votes emerged winners and their owners were rewarded with a cash prize of N250, 000 for the dance competition and N1.5 million and a record deal with Major Bangz in the remix category. Four runners-up were rewarded with cash prizes of N150, 000 each.

Solitude, an Asaba, Delta State-based artiste, clinched the N1.5 million cash prize alongside the recording deal while The Amazing Crew, an Ilorin, Kwara State-based dance group, won the dance competition and was rewarded with N250, 000.

“I have participated in many song competitions but #youneedanewbank was a different experience for me as the selection process was very transparent,” said Solitude who has been a musician for eight years.

“My friend actually introduced me to the competition and we actively monitored the votes online.”

He said further: “Based on my experience, I can confidently tell people that Diamond Bank fulfills its promises as I got everything as promised. My musical career has gotten a huge lift from this competition and I will be dropping my song, produced by Major Bangz, shortly.”

Speaking during a courtesy visit of the winners to the bank, AyonaTrimnell, Divisional Head, Corporate Communications, Diamond Bank Plc, said the competition provides opportunities for up and coming artistes to make their mark in the fast growing Nigerian music industry.

She said: “We had many interesting entries and Nigerians selected their favourites. We hope that the opportunities offered by this competition will help our winners realize their ambitions and also propel them to be worthy ambassadors of the country, particularly in the area of music.”

According to Tade Davis of The Amazing Crew, it was a pleasant surprise to have won the competition.

“We are mainly students based in Ilorin and logistics is usually a challenge for us in participating for competitions like this,” said Davis. “When we learnt of the #youneedanewbank competition we immediately applied; more so as the entries were going to be uploaded online and selection was through public voting. We are deeply grateful to Diamond Bank for making this competition truly Nigerian in outlook by creating a level playing field for all competitors irrespective of their location.”